Hawthorne, Julian, Ed. History of Washington the Evergreen State: From Early
Dawn to Daylight. Vol. 2. New York: American Historical Publishing Co.,
1893. p. 670-671.
WOODRUFF, MARY A., widow of James Woodruff, deceased, of Waitsburg, Wash.,
whose fine farm is located near Waitsburg, and conducted under the
superintendence of her brother-in-law, Mr. Shell, was born in Jackson County,
Ind., in 1835, her parents being natives of the same State. Elizabeth Cox was
the maiden name of her mother. They removed to Iowa in 1841, coming from
thence across the plains in 1864, and settling in Walla Walla County. Mrs.
Woodruff's early education was obtained in the public schools of Indiana, then
very indifferent at best. She shared the hardships of her parents in a long
journey across the plains, and was married in November following her arrival
to Mr. James Woodruff, a native of Connecticut. They were obliged to fly to
the Willamette Valley during the Indian War, but returned and located on the
homestead now occupied by the widow. Her husband died of a lingering fever in
1881. She still cherishes his memory as a man dear to the community
industrious and well-to-do. His estate, left solely to his widow--for they
were childless--is estimated at $50,000. It includes a farm of seven hundred
acres, shares in various corporations, not to mention personal property of
considerable value. No woman in the community is more highly respected than
Mrs. Woodruff.
Submitted by: Jenny Tenlen
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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.